Nationals collapse vs. Cubs in 9th

WASHINGTON — The Chicago Cubs caught a break this week when NL MVP Kris Bryant avoided serious injury, suffering only a sprained right ankle.

With shortstop Trea Turner, the Washington Nationals were not nearly as lucky.

Oh, and that bullpen is still troublesome, too.

Jon Jay hit a go-ahead two-run double during a three-run ninthinning rally against Blake Treinen, lifting the Cubs over the Nationals 5-4 on Thursday.

Washington got more bad news after the game: Turner has a broken his right wrist after being hit by a pitch. The team did not have a timetable for his return.

Turner was hit by Pedro Strop’s fastball in the seventh, but remained in the game until Stephen Drew entered as a defensive replacement in the ninth.

“I didn’t know because I had tape on my wrist, so initially it didn’t really feel that bad,” Turner said. “After a little while, it started stiffening up on me, so I figured I’d get out of there.”

With Turner gone, Treinen (0-2) slogged through the bullpen’s 13th blown save this season, tying the NL

Chicago’s Tommy La Stella (left) celebrates after scoring during the ninth inning of the Cubs’ game against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. East leaders with the Phillies and Mets for the National League lead.

Tommy La Stella drove in a run with a two-out single against the right-hander, and Jay followed with a hit to right-center that brought home Javier Baez and La Stella.

“Anytime you get a win like that, especially against a team like that, it’s awesome,” La Stella said. “You never want to say you need a win, because we didn’t, but it was certainly nice to get that one.” Nick Wass / The Associated Press

Washington has been looking for an answer at the back of its bullpen all season. Six pitchers have at least one save for Washington, and four of them also have at least two blown saves. Treinen joined that club as his ERA rose to 6.11

“It’s getting exhausting,” Treinen said. “I’m sure they are sick of seeing the same result when I’m out there.”

Wade Davis struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 16th save after Felix Pena (1-0) worked the eighth. Manager Dusty Baker was ejected for the first time in his two seasons with the Nationals after arguing a third-strike call in the sixth.